HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK: RIO MESA BACK CHOOSES DUCKS.

Byline: GERRY GITTELSON Staff Writer

With National Signing Day looming Feb.7, standout running back Malachi Lewis of Rio Mesa High of Oxnard has said he will commit to an Oregon football scholarship, choosing the Ducks over Arizona State, Cal and Georgia Tech.

Lewis, recruited as an ``athlete,'' can play a variety of positions, and he'll probably start off as a receiver in college, said Greg Biggins, Rio Mesa's student sports recruiting director.

``Malachi is probably one of the most versatile players out there,'' Biggins said. ``He can play running back, H-back, safety, linebacker. He's a playmaker.''

Lewis, who's 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds, rushed for 1,406 yards with eight receptions for 242 yards and 25 touchdowns in 12 games to carry Rio Mesa to the Pacific View League title this past season.

Burbank coach fired: Greg Sobiech, who helped restore Burbank High's football program to respectability since taking over five years ago, has been fired because of differences with the school administration.

The Bulldogs finished 6-5 last season, and Sobiech was 22-30 over five seasons.

``I have no idea why this has happened. We worked very hard, but they said they want to go in a different direction,'' Sobiech said. ``I'm baffled as to which direction that is. Our team GPA is up. We've got great kids who are going to college. We've rewritten the record books. It's a proud program, and it wasn't that way when we got here. I don't know what else to say. I'm stunned.''

Assistants Angelo Dahlia, Bob Nichols, Tim Loock and Mike Rodriguez, all of whom came in with Sobiech, won't be back either, Sobiech said.

Burbank won four games over three seasons prior to Sobiech's arrival.

Sobiech might join Canyon's staff as an assistant under Harry Welch, whose recommendation letter five years ago helped Sobiech get the Burbank job.

Burbank Principal Bruce Osgood, who delivered the news to Sobiech on Friday, wasn't available for comment.

Longshore update: Canyon quarterback Ben Longshore continues to wait for a late scholarship offer. If one doesn't materialize, he'll probably walk on at Utah State, Colorado, BYU or DivisionI-AA Idaho State, all of which have expressed interest but haven't made an offer.

Birmingham players close to committing: Birmingham of Lake Balboa defensive lineman J.J. Fifita could join his brother, Sione, at San Diego State. But the younger Fifita first plans an official visit to UNLV this weekend, and he isn't expected to make a decision between the two until next week. Cornerback Dominick Baker is deciding between Division I-AA schools Montana and Northern Arizona. Defensive lineman Joseph Misini is leaning toward Moorhead State.

Duncan picks Washington: Westlake defensive tackle Tyrone Duncan has said he will commit to Washington, changing his mind a few days after saying he would commit to Fresno State during a recruiting visit with the Bulldogs two weekends ago.

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